Question: Hi there,

I'm prehypertensive (right around normal in the morning, sometimes elevated at night, almost always under 140/90 however) but an otherwise healthy 34 year old (a bit of weight to lose, but exercising regularly, moderating alcohol most of the time, not smoking, and eating healthy most of the time - I also had a good echocardiogram last year and most of my bloodwork was good).

Sometimes (especially this time of year) I watch scary movies or play scary video games. The games especially can cause an adrenaline rush and get my pulse racing at suspenseful moments. (Resting for me is normally high 60's to low 80's, and for brief periods during gaming it gets up above 100...I counted 111 once and I could guess it could hit 120 or higher at points). This is very brief...usually a startle scare or "fight or flight" moment in the game, and the pulse quickly returns to a more normal (80ish) level within a few minutes. I also never game for prolonged or marathon sessions - usually a couple hours before doing something else.

I'm wondering if being scared/startled like this or getting an adrenaline rush is dangerous for my heart/brain, or if it's something I need not worry about. I can feel my heart revving and beating hard a bit when it happens (but in a normal fear-reaction sort of way), but on the other it stands to reason things like exercise, sex, or even amusement park rides would also have a similar effect (if not an even higher pulse).

Does it put me at any significant increased risk to enjoy these things, or is it okay to indulge in these activities (or even possibly good for me, in moderation, since it's a workout for the heart)?

Thanks for your feedback!

Thanks much for your help!

It's great to know that even if my pulse approaches the 120's+ briefly (and recovers just as quickly), it's not a worry. (Like I said, I realize it gets even higher with things like exercise.) I guess because of my prehypertension and family history, I wanted to make sure I wasn't risking being "scared to death". But I guess adrenaline is a fact of life in other enjoyable things, such as watching a sporting event or an exciting/emotionally charged movie, which could have similar effects, not to mention even more intense, longer-duration activities like exercise, sex, etc.

No worries - I'm not taking anything illicit, and I don't eat junk food often. (I'm not going to say never, but I try to stick to whole foods and eat a wide variety with plenty of fruits and veggies most of the time.)

Thanks for easing my anxieties and letting me know I'm not at any increased risk from these types of activities!

Thanks again! One last question related to BP and posture if you don't mind (it's a short one)!

When I'm relaxing, I've gotten into the habit of sitting in a large rocker/recliner, and for some reason I've always sat with one foot on the floor (usually rocking) and the other leg up and crossed with my ankle folded under the floor leg's knee. I've since thought about it and learned this could increase BP unnecessarily during this time, but I just don't like sitting with both feet on the floor if I can avoid it. Is it okay for BP to sit like this but have the foot of my crossed leg resting against my knee or thigh of the floor leg instead of under the knee (where it would cause more pressure). I generally switch which leg is "up" every 15-30 minutes or so. I also hope light rocking when watching TV (light activity during rest) is beneficial overall.

Thanks again! I will close/rate after the next response and open a new ticket should I have further queries! =)

Hi there,

I had another question for you and submitted a new payment to reopen this (though it's under the same ticket - hope that's okay).

This is a phenomena I've experienced for a few years now once in a while, and I just want to make sure it's not heart related.

Sometimes (as often as a couple times a week, but not always that often), I feel a sensation in my chest. It usually occurs slightly to the left near my upper sternum/pectoral, but I've had it on the right before too (though it seems like left is more common). It's difficult to describe - something between a pinch and a feeling of the ache you get in an overworked muscle. It's not especially painful (a minor distraction at worst) and comes and goes fairly randomly. When it happens, a deep breath or certain movements seem to make it sharper (but again, not especially painful). I notice it the most at rest; I'm almost never aware of it during exercise (I'm not going to say it's never happened, but I notice it the most doing passive activities) and feel good while exercising. Heart rate/regularity, breathing, perspiration, etc. all are unaffected - I feel otherwise fine (no shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, etc.). I've taken my BP when it happens, and BP is the usual (sometimes prehypertensive but not hypertensive).

Any thoughts? I don't think it's heart related, but I wanted to make sure it's not something I should worry about.

Thanks!

Hi there - thanks for the info!

It's usually most noticeable resting. Or resting with quick body movement/deep breath. I don't notice it much during exercise itself.

I've never had any flu-like symptoms associated specifically with this pain, no. Of course I do tend to get sick once or twice a year the same as most people seem to (colds/flu), but this chest feeling does not appear to be connected to that.

Once in a while I do get a dry cough in general, but I don't think it's specifically connected to this either.

Thanks much! Very relieved to hear you don't think there is any heart involvement! I didn't think so either, but reassurance is always good!